CIHM 
Microfiche 
Series 
(l\/lonographs) 


ICMH 

Collection  de 
microfiches 
(monographies) 


Canadian  Instituta  for  Historical  Microraproductiona  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes  /  Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best  original 
copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this  copy  which 
may  be  bibliographically  unique,  which  may  alter  any 
of  the  images  in  the  reproduction,  or  which  may 
significantly  change  the  usual  method  of  filming,  are 
checked  below. 


n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


□  Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagte 

□  Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restauree  et/ou  pelliculit 


n 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


□  Coloured  maps/ 
Caites  giographiques  en  couleur 

□  Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


n 
0 


n 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relie  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

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distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  interieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may  appear 
Within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these  have 
been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainet  pages  blanches  a|outtes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  tcxtc. 
mais,  lorsque  cela  ctait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  etc  filmees. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire  qu'il 
lui  a  ete  possible  de  se  procurer.   Les  details  de  cet 
exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-6tre  uniques  du  point  de  vue 
bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier  une  image 
reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  ui>e  modification 
dans  la  methode  normale  de  f  ilmage  sont  indiques 
ci-dessous. 


□  Colot 
Pages 


Coloured  pages/ 
de  couleur 


E  Pages  damaged/ 


Pages  endommagees 


□  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurees  et/ou  pellicultes 

□  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  decolorees,  tachetees  ou  piquees 

□  Pages  detached/ 
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Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


D 

□  Quality  of  prin 
Qualite  inegale 


print  vanes/ 

de  I'lmpression 


□  Continuous  pagination/ 
Pagination  continue 


□  Includes  ir 
Comprend 


index(es)/ 
Comprend  un  (des)  index 


Title  on  header  taken  from;  / 
Le  litre  de  Ten  t(te  provient 

□  Title  page  of  issue/ 
Page  de  titre  de  la  livratson 


n 


Additional  comments/ 
Commentaires  supplementaires: 


□  Caption  of  iisue/ 
Titre  de  depart  de  la  li 

n 

Wrinkled  pages  may  film  slightly  out  of  focu.s 


Masthead/ 

Generique  Ipinodiques)  de  la  livraison 


This  Item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filme  au  taux  de  rMuction  indique  ci  dessous 

10X  MX  18X 


22X 


:6x 


X}x 


V 


rrr 


1 — I 


I2x 


1IX 


20X 


2«x 


;sx 


The  copy  filmed  here  hes  been  reproduced  thenks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Metropolitan  Toronto  Reference  Library 
Baldwin  Room 

The  imeges  eppearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmod  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  tu 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required,  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

4 

5 

L'exemplaire  filmi  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
Qin6ro*\x6  de: 

Metropolitan  Toronto  Reference  Library- 
Baldwin  Room 

Las  images  suivantes  ont  txi  reproduites  avec  la 
plus  grand  soin,  connpte  tenu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattat*  da  I'axamplaira  film«,  at  an 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 

Las  axamplairas  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papiar  est  imprim^a  sont  filmAs  an  commandant 
par  le  premier  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darniira  page  qui  comporta  una  amprainte 
d'imprassion  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autras  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmAs  an  commandant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  at  an'termlnant  par 
la  darniira  page  qui  comporta  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaTtra  sur  la 
darnidra  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  la  symbols  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
reproduit  9n  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  fllmA  A  partir 
da  Tangle  sup6rieur  geuche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  an  pranant  la  nombra 
d'images  nAcessaira.  Las  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


2 

3 

5 

6 

36 

40 


L25  III  1.4 


2.5 
2.2 

1.8 


1.6 


MICROCOP     RESOLUTION  TEST  CHART 

NATION,-.   BUREAU  OF  STANDARDS 

STANDARD  REFERENCE  MATERIAL  1010a 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No  2) 


»*iffWB5ESKiiS!wwi«?x'Ar«iir^«r«^^^^ 


s  t-- 


iV*T7r  r" 


(     . 


.1^' 


./T 


MEBIOllR 


/J 


OF    TUL 


NORTHERN   KINGDOM, 


WRITTEN,    A.D.    1872, 


I!\       1  HL     I.  \T.i 

RKV.  WILLIAM>ON   JAllNSi::'YKF,S,  LL.D. 

AND     HON.    JIEMDEU    Of     TII^     KOVAL     KMT.KICXS    UOAHD     Oi 
LItEUA I lun, 


IN  SIX  LETTERS  TO  HIS  SON. 


••Olii't  inciniiiissr  juva'''/." 


sow    FI1ST    PUBLISUEO, 

QUEBIXK,        i"'^" 
A.D.  1901  /'^t 


"h 


M  «     I      i^-  ■'^■■. 


^te^ 


';-» 


V" 


iCv 


A'^^M-i  K. 


MAR  IS  1^57, 


SALVS  •  PVBLiCA  •  MEA  •  MERCEs. 

i 


♦>*- . 


, -^^^^ 


.:*;*  i    1936 

;.   PUCA.tL 


£A'  Hm^i^ 


^  -. 


to    THE 


KING. 


Permit  me,  in  congi^itulating-  m^^ 
CO'"  '^^  0!i  Your  fortunate  accession  to 
ih  e  of  Your  Royal  Father,  to  lay 

at  ^'  feet  with  all  humility  a  small 
work  of  th  ;  venerable  man,  to  wliom  I 
owe  my  existence.  I  am  persuadotl  that 
Your  Majesty  will  pardon  its  frankness, 
and  extend  to  it  the  indulgence,  which 
Your  Princely  Race  have  ever  mani- 
fested for  manly  sentiments,  and  with 
which  Your  Royal  Father  was  pleased 
to  honour  its  authour. 

I  should  liot, under  other  circumstan- 
ces than  the  present,  have  presumed  to 
approach  the  throne  with  an  offerings 
of  this  nature  ;  but  havini»;  been  hon- 
oured with  Your  Royal  Commission  in 
an  attempt  to  unite  with  Your  subjects 
a  distracted  and  divided  people,  I  pre- 
sumed that  the  faithful  history,  my  fath- 
er left,  as  a  legacy  to  his  children,  of  the 


■mpi 


IV 


troubles,  of  wliich  hi?  was  a  witness,  but 
whieh  happUy  ended  in  the  estabhsh- 
mcnt  of  Your  Majesty's  illustrious 
House,  would  be  no  unacceptable  pre- 
sent to  future  times. 

In  discharj^ino-,  Sire,t]iisduty,  permit 
me  also  to  declare  that,  under  a  kind 
and  gracious  Providence,  the  people  of 
this  Northern  Empire  are  indebted  for 
all  the  prosperity  they  enjoy  to  the 
prompt,  vigorous  yet  clement  measures 
of  Your  Majesty's  Royal  ancestors. 
That  this  kingdom,  formed  by  their 
wisdom,  and  transmitted  to  Your  Royal 
hands,  may  long  flourish,  that  its  bound- 
aries may  still  increase,  and  thus  diffuse 
the  happiness,  Avhich  those  experience, 
to  whom  Your  Imperial  qualities  are 
known,  and  that  every  enemy  to  Your 
Majesty's  government  may  be  trans- 
formed into  a  warm  and  zealous  ser- 
vant, is  the  hearty  prayer  of. 


Sire, 


Your  ^Tajesty's  most  humble, 
most  affcctioaate, 
aiul  most  devoted  subject, 
JULIUS  DE  BARRI, 

Ld.  Jursscnkclls. 


PREFACE, 


f 


IT  mmi  not  he  anim  to  hiform  the  fmhliek,  that  the 
Editor  of  the   fho  fJloxvun^  h'tters  has  lon;r  retained 
them,  uiid  would  Drohahhj  have  amtuiuvd  to  keep  them 
private,  had  mt  recent  occurrences  rendered  it,  m  his 
opinion,  excec'fi'urh/  useful  to  exhibit  them  to  the  world. 
For,  whatevi  r  sources  of  informatiun  may  have  been 
obened  in  general  histories,  it  is  plain  that  private  me- 
moirs,  separate  from  the  circumstance  of  authenticity, 
must  enter  more  into  the  detail  of  those  causes,  which, 
thousrh  they  develope  themselves  only  to  the  curious  eye 
of  an  intelligent  and  attentive  observer,  produce  ultimate- 
ly  the  greatest  events.     And  as  these  letters  faithfully 
paint  the  miseries  offor'uer  times,  it  was  hoped  that  the 
publishiiw  of  them 'at  the  present  day  might  tend  to  open 
the  cues  of  our  infatur-d  neighbours  to  their  real  in- 

Of  these  interests  the  FAlitor  hopes  he  shall  be  allowed^ 
to  have  formed  a  proper  estimcfe.  Forty  five  years  of 
bickering,  or  open  warfare,  might  have  convinced  the 
Illinois  'Republicans,  that  it  were  far  better  to  renounce, 
as  did  their  ancestors,  the  phantom  of  a  governtient, 
which  they  have  not  virtue  to  protect.  For  the  Repuh- 
lick  is  a  prey  to  the  dissentions  of  her  ambitious  chief. 
Confiding  in  the  population  or  territory  they  have  ac- 
quired or  maintained,  animated  by  an  anfient  grudge, 
and  still  more  by  a  desire  of  attracting  to  themselves  m- 
dividually  the  manugemeni  of  the  Stu/.\  in  the  midst  of 
such  eoiwulsions,  these  factious  demagogues,  for  siirh 
must  they  be  named,  are  for  protracting  a  war,  which 
puts  to  the  proof  all  the  mildness  and  moderation  of  oui 
Sovereign  ';  a  war  too,  v.'h'rh  conn-t  e^id  hut  in  thr'r 
subjugaf""'. 


I 


VI 


jVor  can  this  event  he  far  distant.  The  immense 
power  of  the  Northern.,  and  the  preponderating  interests 
(  "the  Southern  Kingdom,  point  out  for  each  of  them  a 
d,.^  t  path  to  their  object.  JVor  is  his  Firginian  Ma- 
jesty so  inattentive  to  the  security  of  his  frontiers,  or  so 
fond  of  repose  and  quiet,  as  to  omit  any  method  of  re- 
ducing such  an  obstinate  enemy.  The  league  too,  which 
has  of  late  been  happily  formed  between  the  two  Mon- 
archies, and  in  which  th"  Editor  is  well  knorwn  to  have 
borne  an  honorable  part,  must  teach  these  enthusiasts, 
that  it  is  vain  to  resist. 

On  the  whole,  our  population  of  twenty  millLns,  with 
the  command  of  the  navigation  of  .he  lakes,  which  we 
indisputably  posiess,  joined  to  the  poxver  and  martial 
prmvess  of  a  late  reconciled  indeed,  but  doubtless  faithful 
ally,  who  is  able  to  shut  the  Mississippi  to  their  eastern 
commerce, and  leave  them  only  the  shores  of  the  Pacifick, 
still  at  an  immense  distance,  and  with  several  intervening 
nations — these  advantages  of  the  Allies,  together  with 
the  history  of  former  Republicks,  and  especially  of  the 
once  confederated  Jmcl-^an  States,  must,  one  would 
think,  bring  them  to  their  reason. 

JVhatever  viervs  may  influence  the  Northern  Court, 
every  one  must  grant,  that  sound  polwy  absolutely  re- 
quires, that  a  neighbour  so  capable  of  doing  Imrm,  as  the 
Republick  of  the  Illinois,  must  he  brought  to  peace  ;  on 
equitable  terms,  if  possible,  if  not,  by  force.  For  many 
years,  it  is  well  known,  their  territory  has  been  the  com- 
mon receptacle  of  intriguing,  discontented  and  abandoned 
men,  from  both  the  .imerican  Kingdoms  ;  nor  ivoukl  his 
Majesty  of  the  South  have  ever  espoused  their  cause, 
but  for  the  deadly  feuds  of  civil  ivar  ;  feuds,  which  ren- 
dered any  auxiliary  acceptable,  yet  which  have  at  length 
but  served  to  establish  forever  the  Royal  Houses  derived 
of  Britain  and  of  France. 

J.  de  B.  JAHNSEm'KES. 

Lordship  of  JurssenkcUs, 
A.D.  lof' 


■ 


INDEX. 


.\%<f....Tliat  tlie  subjects  at  leait  of  the  foUowins;  letters  may  be  senerally  un- 
derstood in  our  Sister  Kinplom,  the  Editor  inserts  an  index  in  the  language  of 
Her  Court. 

Lettre  premiere.  _ 

Page. 

Ressembl«mcnt  des  Etats  Britaaniques,  ct  Tues  du  Cour 
rclativement  a  icelles ... 

Seconde. 
Jalousies  dc  France,  et  tentatives  pour  contrcba  an.-e,  el 
sccurite  aussi  de  ses  Colonies  des  tndes,  nenacees  d-"  ^^ 

Espagnols  etc ....     17 

Troisietne. 
Vue  des  principcs,   ma!urs  et  ecrits  des  Americains  des 

Etats-Unis 23 

Quatrieme. 
Etablissemcnt  d'une  Pref^ture  durant   les  troubles  des 

partis  Americains,  a  Richmond 29 

Cinquieme. 
Vue  des  sentimens  du  peuple-nord.     Histoirc  des  ^Stab- 
lissemens  Anglois  dans  I'Angletcrre-aeuve,     Emigrations  i 
I'oucst.     Formation  d'une  Presidence  perpetuelledu  Nord      35 

Sixieme  et  dcrniere. 
Jalousie  des  aristocrats.  Vigilance  de  Sa  Majcste  du 
Nord.  Ses  preparatifs  pour  la  guerre.  Miserables  contes- 
tations. Declaration  dc  Sa  Majeste  Virginique.  Vue  de 
Quebec,  capitale  florissantc  d'un  Roiaume  puissant.  Sou- 
mission  des  pcuplcs  des  Etats  du  Nord.  Mariagc  du  Roi 
avec  la  Ule  du  President ,     .     .    44 


£rrat»»i}..,.Page  19, 9th  Un"  from  top,  instead  of/w  read /rom» 


1 


i 


LETTER  1. 


Mv     DEAK     SON, 

AVhatever  motives  and  principles  may  justly  be 
prescribed  to  individuals,  it  is  ii  fact,  that  nations  act 
on  a  plan  totally  selfish.     The  very  essence  of  patriot- 
ism consists  in  prefeiTing  the  j^ood  of  our  o\\  n  country 
to  the  ^ood  of  any  other.     And  the  desiirn  of  consti- 
tuting everj'  givernment  is,  that  they,  who  are  to  di- 
rect its  idministration,  miy  administer  to  the  good  of 
its  subjects.     Not,  indeed,  that  the  interest  of  any  one 
nation  will  l)e  found  wholly  isolated  from  that  of  all  other 
nations  ;  but  that,  in  the  collision   of  separate  national 
interests,  that  of  our  own  nation  lies  nearest  to  the  heart. 
I  premise  this  remark  to  the  narration  \<)u  have  so 
often  requested  of  me,  and  which   1  now  puipose  to 
lca\e  with  you,  as  a  men\orial  of  my  love  ;  consecrat- 
ing,   as  I  do,  the  last  efl'orts  of  my  enfeebled  mind  and 
health  to  a  subject,  which  has  Ikcu   the  fruitful  theme 
ol  mv  private  anxiety  and  jmblick  conversiition,  as  it 
has  also  been  ever  interest iufjf  to  the  true  Antcrican. 
I  premise  the  remark,  m\  son,   to  my  narration,  !)e. 
cause  I  look   back    with   infinite  rep:ret  to  the  period, 
when,  confiding  in  their  own  blind  \anity,  and  patriot- 
ick  partialities,  my  countrymen  would  set'  no  evil,  diat 
threatened  them  front  isljroad  ;  nor  would  consent  that 


dm 


10 


other  nations  should  feci  for  their  own  institutions  and 
their  own  citizens  the  attachment  we  felt  for  ours.  In- 
deed I  well  knew  that  the  nature  of  the  principles,  on 
which  men  wire  then  acling,  and  die  tendency  of 
events  then  takir.g  place,  \\  ould  lead  of  course  directly 
to  the  result  we  now  behold.  I  said  and  1  wrote  as 
much.  But  nations  are  slow  to  learn;  human  passions 
are  hard  to  be  curbed,  and  man  is  governed  by  \  iews 
of  present  interest  rather,  than  by  the  consideration  of 
an  interest  attached  to  the  future  periods  of  his  dura- 
tion. 

But  I  shall  moralise  arid  declaim  more,  than  I  nar- 
rate. Without  further  introduction,  then,  I  proceed 
lo  die  iMisincss  of  these  letters. 

Great-Biitain  had  long  j)ossessrd,  without  appearing 
lo  know  its  value,  in  either  a  j  olitical  (jr  eomi  treial 
view,  an  innni,P!>e  territory  to  the  nordiward  of  i^e  do- 
minions «jf  those  states,  which  had  gloriously  efiected 
their  independence  of  her,  and  become  sovereign,  by 
a  long  and  bloody  struggle,  that  renders  immortal  the 
memory  of  those,  w  ho  maintained  it,  and  achieved  their 
object,  ^hiny  of  tlie  hihabitants  of  the  colonies  \\ere, 
however,  disafilcted  to  the  idea  of  emancipaiion  from  a 
regal  go\ernment,  and  chose  to  reside  among  those, 
who  remained  loyal  tr)  their  king.  The  population, 
lliert  lore,  of  the  loyal  slates  increased  not  only  In  the 
eonunon  process  of  inuuigrations  from  England,  Scot- 
land, and  lul.ind,  but  by  removals  of  disaffected  re- 
publican,,  uneasy  or  enteiprising  men,  farmers,  who 
expected  Intler  barg:iins  in  land,  especially  in  the  coun- 
trv  i!'.!  '.\  c;;!!;  d  Upji'T  Cap.ad;!,  ■\'"\  artis:!!!!-.  who  found 


11 


home,  than  thev  could  obtain 


This  latter  case  I  will 


less  encouraj^ement 

among  the  British  subjects. 

explain  hereafter. 

While  the  English  trade  to  the  continent  of  Europ< 
was  occluded  by  the  decrees  of  the  first  Emperor  of 
France,  of  the  present  djnasty,  it  was  seriously  cnquir 
ed  in  Britain,   wluit  benefit  might  be  derived  to  the 
mother  country  from  her  American  possessions.     Al- 
ready a  Prince  of  the  house  of  Brunswick  had  been  in- 
vested  with  the  office  of  Govemour  ii'.  general,  and  had 
won  the  affections  of  the  colonists  at  large.     It  was 
now  proposed,  that  a  kind  and  fostering  hand  should 
be  stivtched  out,  cftectually  to  raise  this  \'aluable  coun- 
try to  the  rank,  it  has  since  attained.     A  prince,  then, 
of  the  reigning  family,  was,  aftt  r  a  \  cry  considerable 
scries  of  preparations,  w  hich  it  is  not  necessary  to  re- 
count, placed,  as  Viceroy,  at  the  head  (jf  all  the  British 
dominions  in  North- America  and  tiie  West- Indies.    Aii 
expectation  was  held  out,  that  offices  of  trust,   and  of 
honour  and  emolument,  would  be  bestowed  on  those 
noble  minded  Britons,  who  would  embark,  with  their 
families  and  fortimcs,  for  a  country,  w  hich  already  seem- 
ed to  assume  the  name  and  dignity  of  a  gieat  and  flour 
ishing  empire.     Monopolies  were  abolished.     A  free 
trade  iKgan  to  be  estaljlished.     A  fleet  was  in  pixpara- 
tion  ;  and  the  spirit  of  enterprise,  \\  isdom,  and  deci- 
sion, which  all  at  once  burst,  as  it  were,  on  the  aston- 
ished  continent,  though,  in  truth,  many  had  long  fore 
seen  it,  promised  to  the  rising  state  a  vigorous  ma 
turitv. 


«   * 


Mil 


12 


!i!. 


t 


fimnirc  seemed  now  decidedly  Avcstering.  The  ex- 
jxUriuced  Portuguese,  roused  into  energ\-  by  the  cir- 
cumstances of  their  country,  and  enlightened  by  a  free 
and  confidential  intercourse  with  the  English,  who  fre- 
quented th'  irnew  court  in  crowds,  shook  off  the  emas- 
culating shackles  c*'  a  bigoted  superstition,  entered,  with 
emulous  earnestness,  into  die  liberal  A'iews  of  their 
faithful  allies,  and  retrieved  the  character,  they  once 
bore  under  Kmanuel  and  Henry.  Nor  did  dieir  friends 
repent  the  kindnesses,  they  had  she\vn.  In  fact,  there 
had  been,  for  a  long  series  of  years,  such  a  mutual 
good  understanding  between  the  two  countries,  even 
before  the  removal  of  the  court,  as  redounded  to  the 
honour  of  bodi.  And  in  America  the  attachment  was 
renewed  w  ith  the  most  brilliant  advantages.  Imjwrtant 
privileges  A\ere  granted  to  the  American  subjects  of 
Great- Britiiin,  and  %\ealth  flowed  profusely  into  the 
northern  provinces.  'J'hat  coinitry  was  thus  acquiring 
sinews,  to  brace  its  already  poweiful  arms. 

Nor  were  the  American  Spaniards,  in  their  extensive 
possessions,  idle  spectators  of  their  neighbours,  i'-ng- 
land  liad  generously  ;issisted  the  j)atriots  of  the  mother 
country,  in  their  glorious  slrugt^ie  to  maintain  their 
rights  against  Napoleon  I.  whose  overwhelming  ambi- 
tion prompted  him,  at  one  period,  to  attempt  the  utter 
subjugation  ()]■  diat  aulient  and  brave  people.  Spain 
was  gnileliil,  and  Knglish  commerce,  Kiiglish  manners, 
and  I'.nglish  politicks,  began  sensibly  to  pervade  '  ;• 
coin;,  lur  people,  and  hercoic/  ,ies.  Hut  at  home  they 
wiir  held  in  I  heck  by  IViUuc,  and  abroad  they  were 
.liii  eniiMrraNsed,  iiolwiilistintting  the  financial  arrange 


13 


merits  of  their  magnanimo-      iix  r  iaries  ;  nor  coi  '    they 
make  an  effectual  impression  on  the  power,  by   >\hich 
they  were  kept  at  bay.       Stiii,  howc\ei-,  their  wide 
spread  domains  were  opened  to  the  advtnturous  Brit- 
ons ;  and  the  raw  materials  so  richly  furnished  by  their 
several  states  as  well,  as  b\  the  Brasilian  ten  itories,  sup- 
plied copiously  the  manufacturing  interest  of  Ensrland. 
All  this  commerce,  with  but  little  exception,  passed 
through  the  han'ls  of  colonial  earners,  for  they  were 
taught  the  policy  of  almost  restricting  this  advantage  to 
the  new  empire  ;  having  seen  with  env}-  the  growing 
prosperity  of  New-England,  during  the  neutrality-  of 
the  United  States,  while  the  nations  of  Europe  were  at 
war.     The  carrying  trade,  so  termed,  was  now  there- 
fore taken  from  foreig  lers.     It  was  placed  in  the  Vicc- 
ro\''s  power  ;  and  this  circumstance  alone  had  gi'eat 
influence   in  increasing  not  only  the  wealth,  but  die 
population  and  strength  of   the    British  territories    in 
America,  to  tin  government  of  wliich  he  devoted  greal 
prudence,  vigour  and  judicious  moderation. 

It  was  not  long,  tlieriff)re,  before  a  more  perfect  con- 
solidi    on  of  these  several  territories  was  sought  with 
earnestness  by  almost  :\11  the  prineiiwl  eol*)nists.     Tlv 
provincial  and  colonial  ;f)vernours,  who  had  been  alway 
dei)uted  from  themodier  country,  were  often  found  un 
ac(|uaintef'  »vitii  tlie  inti rests  of  the  communities,  they 
.ame  to  nourish  and  defend.     It  began,  <^f  course,  to 
Ik'  perceived,  that  it  would  l)e  better  to  place  the  nomi 
nation  of  person    \o  all  these  p«)sts  in  die  N'iceroy  him- 
self, who  had  near!}  i)ecome  a  so\ereigii  Prince.     But 
ilie  views  of  the  loiiit  were  vast.      And  experien(>  iiau 


li 


14 

taught  the  British  government,  that,  by  indulging  to 
the  suggestions  of  a  lil^ral  and  enhghtened  poHcy,  more 
advantage  might  be  derivetl  from  a  country  in  the  striot 
connexion  ot  a  friendly  and  mutually  beneficial  alliance, 
than  for  one  in  the  galling  bond  of  colonial  dependence. 
The  United  States  had  afforded  them  this  lesson,  and 
they  were  ready  to  profit  by  it.  Already  it  was  sur- 
mised that  the  total  independence  of  the  Viceregcncy 
would  ere  long  be  openly  discussed.  And  events, 
which  will  be  noticed  in  a  future  letter,  tended  rapidly 
to  realise  the  suspicion. 

National  concerns  arc  seldom  conducted  on  a  per- 
fectly consistent  plan  for  any  considerable  series  of 
yeiU"s  ;  and  hothing  but  the  unvarying  niotive  of  self- 
interest  ciui  be  assumed,  as  the  clue  to  ever}-  state  laby- 
rinth. VVhen,  therefore,  interest  inclines  manifestly  to 
one  line  of  conduct,  we  may  expect  to  find  that  line 
pertinaciously  followed.  England  was  wise  enough  to 
see  her  own  interest  in  pursuing  the  track,  which  her 
apparently  generous  ministers  hud  now  disco' ered. 

No  sooner  \vas  the  right  to  nominate  the  se\'eral 
Crovernours  in  complete  exercise  by  the  Viceroy,  than 
beneficial  consequences  apjjcarcd  to  result.  His  nomi- 
nations were  seldom  countervailed  by  the  court,  and  as 
they  were  made,  with  but  very  few  exceptions,  after 
the  strictest  scrutiny  in  regard  to  cluiracter  and  talents  ; 
p  -  a  plan  of  great  extent  required  a  powerful  eo-opera- 

u;  they  gained  the  alTcclion  of  the  people,  and  ef- 
fected in  a  few  years  the  important  measure  of  leaving 
tlie  appointments  soleU  to  -he  discretion  of  the  Prince. 


15 


A  long  time  elapsed  without  any  material  alterations 
in  the  plan  of  govennnent.     The  views  of  the  British 
court  began  to  be  penetrated  by  almost  every  cu!)inet 
of  Europe  and  America.     They,  howeve--  w'jo  com- 
prehended these  vie\\  s,  could  not  but  ascrilie  them  to 
political  wisdom,  and  to  a  prudent  regard  for  securing 
the  good  will  as  well,  as  prosperity  of  anaiccpt  empire. 
A  consolidation  was  indeed  perfecting,  which  inspired 
the  neighbouring  states  with  alar.n  ;  for  the  haibo\u-s 
of  Newfoundland  were  thronged  with  sliips  and  the 
smaller  craft  ;  the  islands  of  die  vicinity  (jvciilorved 
with  inhabitants  ;  the  Dunkirk  of  America  was  again 
rendered  impregnable,  or  supposed  so  ;  active,  enter- 
prising and  iira\  e,  the  inhabitants  of  N.w-Scodand  and 
Brunswick  had  Ixcome  rich  also,  not  only  from  im- 
proviiig  dieir  maritime  advantages,  but  from  an  inland 
commerce  v^ith  New- England ;  the  nor'nernmost  re- 
gions of  the  bay  of  Hudson  began  to  yield  in  a  degree 
to  cultivation  ;  Labrador  was  gro.'     /,  populous  ;  the 
lakes  of  Upper  Canada  were  whitened  with  the  sails  of 
commerce,  :aid  die  generous    encouragement   ol"  the 
princely  Viceroy  allured  to  his  court  the  men  of  genius, 
talents  and  enterprise,  who  sought  promotion,  and  the 
means  of  affluence.     Already,  therefore,  the  imp(  -tant 
moment  Avas  ardently  expected,  when  this  flourishing 
and  broadly  extended  govennnent  s'lould  proclaim  its 
independence  and  uncontrolled  sovereignty. 

But  in  a  future  lettt  r  I  must  advert  to  another  scene 
of  striking,  though  long  anticipated  events,  in  a  difter- 
ent  quarter  of  the  western  continent.     I  have  given  yon 


P'^ 


16 

a  liasty  sketch,  tliough  it  be  on  the  whole  such,  as  I 
had  contemp.'atcd,  of  the  progress  of  some  of  the  pre- 
sent members  of  the  Northern  Kingdom,  from  the 
inert  condition  of  a  crippled,  deixndcnt  colony,  to  the 
expansive  activity  of  a  self-mo\ing,  enlightened  and 
powerful  state  ;  and  am, 

with  unerasing  love  and  anxious  concern, 
your  ever  affectionate  Father. 


LETTER  11. 


I  KNOW  not,  Julius,  to  what  precise  period  of  history 
\ve  are  to  assign  the  origin  of  that  spirit  of  jealousy, 
which  has  so  long  raged  between  die  powerful  countries 
of  Britain  and  France.     So  antient  it  is,  that  the  bear- 
ine  offlettrs  de  lis  on  the  coat  armour  of  many  old  fam- 
1  ^  of  Wales,  that  land  of  genealogies,  takes  its  date 
from  services  rendered  in  the  wars  between  those  rival 
powers.     Perhaps  the  conquest  of  England  by  William, 
which  excited  the  envy  of  the  reigning  Rimily  in  the 
land  h"  left,  might  be  assumed  as  the  sera,  since  wl     . 
like  Carthage  and  Rome,  their  opposing  shores  but  too 
.strictly  corresponded   to  their  opposite  interests  and 
views.     Wherever  British  arms,  and  British  generosity, 
and  maj-  I  not  say,  British  improvidence  have  been 
known,  there  full  soon  have  followed  French  intrigue, 
French  selfishness,  and  French  alertness,  with  a  con- 
summate militarj'  skill. 

Not  more  distinct  are  the  faculties  of  the  understand- 
ing and  the  will  in  man,  than  are  the  characters  of  Brit- 
ons and  Frenchmen  ;  and,  I  had  almost  said,  not  more 
inseparable  notwithstanding.  But  could  you  unite 
them  fully,  what  perfection  would  ensue  !  Were  die 
cool  deliberations  of  the  head  accompanied  too  by  the 
warm  feelings  of  the  heart,  that  is,  did  inclination  Col- 


•I.,! 


18 

low  the  decisions  of  reason,  how  blamelessly  should  wc 
conduct  in  life  !    Could  you  form  men,  in  whom  the 
distinctive  features  of  the  French  and  English  charac- 
ters should  be  happily  blended,  and   superinduce  the 
principles  of  Christianity  to  the  composition,  interweav- 
ing them  with  every  vital  fibre — ah  then  !  But  I  prate. 
Wherever   a   Frenchman*   resides,   he  remembers 
Paris.     Not  that  he  has  more  "  love  of  country,"  than 
had  a  Switzer,  when  Switzerland  existed,  or  than  has 
a  Scotsman  now.     An  Englishman  loves  home  indeed, 
but  home  is  to  him  the  place  \%acre  his  beloved  wife 
and  children,  his  friends  and  associates  reside.     And  if 
these  migrate  with  him,  his  home  is  portable.     "  Eng- 
lishmen on  both  sides  the  Atlantick"  was  a  good  name 
for  the  nation  when  it  sepiu-ated,  as  it  were,  into  mon- 
archists and   republicans.       Americans  descended   of 
English  ancestors  preserve  many  of  the  traces  of  their 
descent.     Hence  the  wily  court  of  France  feared  ex- 
ceedingly that  English  power,  having  gained  such  foot- 
ing in  the  North,  would  travel  southward,  and  over- 
whelm and  subdue  the    invaluable  territories   of  the 
United  States.      Already,  therefore,  were   h;;ard   the 
chatterings  of  the  monkey,  amusing  but  to  deceive,  and 
the  gnashhigs  of  the  tyger,t  whose  sluirp  fangs  were 
convulsively  extended  for  rapine  and  for  blood. 

•  For  these  characteristick  sketches,  and  the  former  strongs,  very 
blroii(f  expressions  of  his  honoured  Fi'ther,  the  E<litor,  cmwillingto  sup- 
press  them  in  any  ile^ree,  presumes  a  sufUcieiit  apology  may  be  fouivl  ill 
RcpiiUlican  feelings  and  American  fra.iicmss. 

•j-This  fxnri-ssion  should  have  been  suppressed,  notwithstanding' my 
reluctance,  had  it  not  been  legitimately  derived — even  from  Voltaire. 

En. 


i9 


I 


Perhaps  I  have  written  with  too  much  violence  of 
resentment  or  prejudice.     But,  my  son,  the  memory 
of  those  unhappy  times  exasperates  even  an  old  man, 
whose  passions  I  had  thought  long  since  buried  m  com- 
punctious repentance,  and  no  more  to  be  roused.     I 
feel  a  renewed  interest  in  scenes  almost  forgotten  ;  and 
did  I  not  with  humble  resignation  and  the  confidence 
of  piety  regard  that  all-wise  government,  which  elicits 
praise  for  the  wrath  of  man,  and  makes  it  subserve  the 
purposes  of  wisdom,  my  feelings  could  not  but  burst 
forth  in  the  most  vehement  invectives.     But  all  is  past. 
Time  has  laid  his  wand  on  the  great  transactions  of  my 
t?me,  and  thev  .re  buried  in  sleep.     My  memory  how- 
ever is  .xercised,  uid  awake.     Would  to  heaven  it  had 
then  been  the  case  with  my  deluded,  amused,  infatuat- 
ed country  !  XI     1  r 

You  may  say  I  was  a  British  partisan.  filP,  Julius, 
I  was  not.  My  feelings  were  ever  American  ;  and 
while  the  government  of  the  United  States  was  inde- 
pendent, my  voice,  my  hand,  and  heart  were  ever  de- 
voted to  it.     But  I  have  seen  times,  which  forced  me 

to  hail  a  foreign  Prince,  as  the  saviour  aiw'  del^ -r  of 

my  country.     I  have  seen  times,  which,  th  .»ey 

could  not  cause  me  to  forget  the  wise  plan  oi  ^-ovem- 
ment,  that  prevailed  in  my  youth,  yet  occasioned  my 
relinquishing  with  pleasure  an  allegiance  to  its  abuses. 
But  1  shall  conclude  Uiis  letter,  widiout  accomplish- 
ing its  object. 

France  saw  with  regret  the  preponderance  of  British 
power  on  the  American  continent  and  in  its  seas.  She 
had  ever  fostered  with  anxious  care  her  colonial  pos- 


20 


sessions,  and  particularly  those  of  the  Western  Indies, 
which  she  had  increased  by  treaty,  purchase  and  con- 
quest, as  often  as  opportunity  offered.  For  these  she 
now  trembled.  The  Portuguese  and  Spanish  govern- 
nients  in  America  threatened,  as  it  seemed,  to  sweep 
the  French  from  all  their  colonies,  and  it  was  but  an 
effect  of  mere  sufferance  that  those  colonies  were  per- 
mitted to  retain  tl^  jr  allegiance.  France  therefore  felt 
the  necessity  of  obtaining  some  security  for  the  de- 
pendence of  her  colonies.  Every  art  was  in  conse- 
quence employed  to  alarm  the  jealousies  and  fears  of  the 
government  of  the  States  against  England.  Envoy 
after  envoy  was  instructed  to  propose,  to  cajole,  to 
threaten  and  intimidate,  to  plead,  command,  seduce  and 
flatter.  And  these  reiterated  remonstrances,  insinua- 
tiojis,  threats  and  flatteries  must  lie  supposed  to  ha\c 
had  some^effect  ;  for  ho\v  could  it  be  olhcrwise,  when 
ever)-  French  engine  was  set  in  motion  to  produce  a 
counterbalance  to  British  power. 

There  were  men,  I  acknowledge,  as  our  history  too 
decidedly  prcnes,  who  yielded  to  these  arts.  Opposi- 
tion also  strengthens  opinions.  Several  had  embarked 
with  the-  .  ilest  i)assions  on  the  tumultuous  sea  of  poli- 
ticks, and  had  been  dri\en  jjy  malice  and  contention 
very  tar  from  each  other.  If  the  one  expressed  an 
opinion,  or  made  an  allusion,  in  any  degree  favourable 
to  Britain,  the  odier  immediately,  and  with  emphasis, 
extolled  her  rival.  A  French  party  and  an  English 
party  began  now  to  be  marked  with  precision  ;  and  the 
arts  of  Parisian  adepts  in  intrigue,  duplicity  and  mis- 


I 


i 


21 

representation  were  too  visible  to  be  disregarded. 
Their  exertions  were  principally  directed  to  the  most 
inHuential  characters  of  the  south,  for  from  that  quar- 
ter, owing  to  many  causes  and  events,  which  I  cannot 
now  particularise,  they  expected,  and  that  too  just' y, 
the  most  effectual  support. 

Your  loving  Father. 


\ 


ij, 


m 


LETTER  III. 


My  Son, 

There  was  a  very  great  dificrcnce  in  character  be- 
tween the  several  citizens,  and  e\en  the  se\ eral  States 
of  the  former  Union.     Nor  are  we  to  wonder  that  such 
should   Ije  the  case.     The  population  of  the  United 
States  was  originally  derived  from  a  variety  of  sources; 
and  the  intermixtures  of  different  national  characters  in 
those,  who  descended  from  the  first  emigrants,  may  be 
easily  conceived  to  ha\  e  diversified  the  individual  char 
acter  to  a  degree  almost  unknown  in  other  countries. 
Add  to  this  the  various  and  uncertain  methods  of  edu- 
cation among  those,  who  enjoyed  any  of  its  greater 
advantages,  and  the  almost  endless  variety  of  religious 
sects,  into  which  professors  of  a  belief  in  Christianity 

were  divided. 

Nor  shoidd  we  omit  distinctions  of  politicks.  I  will 
only  advert,  however,  to  those,  wlio  openly  and  w  ith 
apparent  sincerity  advocated  the  pre\ailing  system  of 
general  govenm\cnt.  Some  of  tluse  were  zealous  re- 
pul)licans,  because  they  had  studied  with  diligence  the 
antient  writers  of  Greece,  and  had  nubibed  from  the 
history  of  her  Rcpublicks,  and  Irom  that  of  Home, 
while  governed  by  her  Consuls,  a  luitnd  to  the  ver\ 
Idwu  and  iumc  of  roy-idty      ?5iumc  were  njpublicans.  be 


A 


cause  either  they  or  their  immediate  ancestors  had  been 
cast,  by  the  lot  of  contingencies,  into  a  situation,  where 
their  opponents  were  attached  to  a  king'y  government. 
Some  were  fond  of  the  name,  because  vt  gave  them  a 
passport  to  the  favour  of  the  people,  with  whom  resid- 
ed the  ph\sical  and  civil  power,  and  from  whose  favour 
alone  they  could  expect  office,  wealth  and  fame.  Oth- 
ers again  professed  themselves  republicans,  and  these 
indeed  were  the  majority  of  the  leading  men  in  my 
time,  because  their  pride  and  vanity,  which  in  other 
circumstances  would  hardh"  have  allowed  them  to  ac- 
knowledge an  etjual,  absolutely  forbad  their  submit- 
ting to  a  sujK'riour.  All  these  were  successively  sub- 
divided into  federalists  and  anti-federalists,  aristocrats 
and  jacobins,  federal  republicans  and  dcmocratick  re- 
publicans, and  ver}-  few  were  avowedly  royalists.  All 
had  too  much  of  the  hauteur  of  republicanism  to  brook 
the  idea  of  headitar}-  subordination. 

Indeed  I  have  very  much  questioned,  whether  most 
of  the  Republicks,  whicli  have  been  constituted  in  the 
world,  did  Jiot  taki  their  oiigin  from  Uie  ambition, 
jealousy,  envy  and  pride  of  leading  men.  Most  of  the 
npublieans,  whom  I  have  known  m  any  honourable 
station,  or  p«>sscssed  of  any  distinguishing  talents,  have 
been  such,  because  circumstanres  precluded  tlien\from 
iK'ing  kings,  dukes  or  lords  ;  and  they  have  been  ad- 
viK'ates  for  a  system,  Mhich  kept  all  on  a  level,  because 
they  would  not  jK-rmit  f)thers  to  rise  t(.  honours  above 
themselves.  But  I  will  except  one  glorious  character, 
that  illustrious  man,  whose  name  is  em!)almed  iii  the 
memory  of  all  the  gootl  and  virtuous,  even  our  Wash- 


25 


I  NO  TON,  the  patriot,  the  hero,  and  the  Christian  sage 
He,  I  gruM  ,  might  have  made  himseli"  absohite,  and  did 
not.      But  what  can  be  said  of  that  impious  farce,  die 
French  revohition  '^     Had  it  not  bein  so  blo'jdy,  so 
terrifick.  and  horrid  in  its  progress  and  C(jnsef|uences, 
who  could  forbear  smiling  wilii  eontemnt  on  its  con- 
ductors, its  dupes,  and  those,  who  reaped  from  it  such 
immense  aggrandisement  !    And  I  verily  believe,  duU 
republicanism  in  Knglaad,  under  die  hypocritical  Crom- 
well,  iwose  mostly  from  a  family  compact.      Kxamuu- 
the  relations  of  kinored  between  those,  \sl.o  projected 
antl  perpetrated  the  measures,  that  caused  a  civil  wan. 
England,  and  issued  in  the  death  of  her  lawful  king, 
and  }  on  will  see  but  too   much  reason  to  doubt,  with 
lord  Clarendon,  the  purity  of  even  a  Hampden.     1  shall 
indeed  sa>-  more,  in  a  future  letter,  of  republicans  of 
another  stamn  ;  but  I  am  too  much  inclined  to  believe, 
drat  every  republican,  who  is  not  a  humble  subject  of 
the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lord^,   adheres  to  his 
political    creed    and    system  from  arrant    "pride  and 
haughtiness  of  soul."     The  principles  of  Christianity 
lead  men  "  in  honour  to  prefer  one  another  ;"  the  wis. 
dom  of  this  world  is  "earthly,  sensual,  de\ilisl.,"  and 
consults  |Hrsf)nal  ( niolununt,  reputation  or  power  in 
all  its  ettbrts. 

It  >\as,  in  fact,  very  <:ommon  before  tin  introduction 
of  .lUit  system,  which  now  pervades  the  Northern  King- 
dom, for  men  in  speaking  even  «»f  thi  ir  connexions  to 
deny  merit  t(»an\,  but  tlu  msclves,  and  to  be  regardless 
therefore,  or  iKthaps  rather  to  pretend  a  disregard  ot 
that  most  gratilymg  species  of  honour,  which  ilous  IV.. ni 


^  m 


■Cj-iS-S*".' 


*l 


26 

ancestorial  worth.  A  man,  whose  descent  is  honoura- 
ble, and  whose  family  h^is  been  in  possession  of  ease, 
affluence  and  respect  for  a  considerable  time,  is,  cajteris 
paribus,  by  no  meiins  so  grasping,  so  ostentatious,  so 
haughty,  assuming  and  presumptuous,  as  the  child  of 
fortune.  He  does  not  regard  his  advantages,  of  what- 
ever kind  they  be,  with  wonder,  ndmiration  and  dis- 
proportionate fondness.  At  hoi  when  splendidly 
surrounded,  he  is  not  perfectly  abroad  if  reduced  to  in- 
digence. His  noble  qualities  remain  ;  and  that  good 
breeding,  which  is  the  most  valuable  fruit  of  easy  cir- 
cumstances, enables  him,  if  he  have  profited  by  it,  to 
be  calm,  industrious  and  honourable,  where  others 
would  be  discouraged,  servile,  insincere  and  wicked. 
But  the  truth  is,  no  man  is  indiflerent  to  personal  hon- 
ours, however  he  may  for  the  present,  and  most  pro- 
bably for  the  sake  of  obtaining  a  more  abundant  share 
in  future,  affect  to  despise  them. 

Ill  ])rinciple,  then,  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  Unit- 
ed Americans  were  republican.  In  manners  the  most 
inHueiilial  among  them  were  generally  aristocratick. 
Bui  I  d(j  not  impute  diis  eircur'^stance  to  them  as  Amer- 
icuuh,  or  as  republicans,  but  as  men.  It  is  human  na- 
ture, and  we  cannot  expect  to  change  that  nature  merely 
by  the  form  oi'  a  government,  (iovernments  vary  with 
tlie  times,  in  which  they  exist,  and  tlie  circumstances 
of  their  subjects.  Man,  in  his  constituent  principles, 
is  e%er  the  same. 

LlI  me  say  a  word,  l)elitrel  close,  of  the  writings  of 
our  former  citizens.  These  were  indeed  mostly  con- 
fmed  lo  the  political  and  conuuercial  diaries,  those  ve- 


27 

hides  of  truth  and  falsehood   so  indeterminately  and 
promiscuously,  that  nothing  learned  from  them  respect- 
ing tlie  real  state  of  the  times  can  be  fully  depended 
on.     In  them  abuse  generated  abuse,  and  the  conten- 
tion never  closed,  till  language  was  exhausted  of  its 
epithets  of  slander.     The  American  newspapers  were 
the  vilest,  that   ever  disgraced  a  nation.     Unfounded 
calumnies,  scandalous  surmises,  and  base  accusations 
were  multiplied  without  end  on  every  eminent  charac- 
ter.    For  as  surely,  as  one  paper  passed  a  single  com- 
plimcnt  on  any  man,  the  opponent  blackened  his  char- 
acter with  aspersion  on  aspersion.     I  will  nnt  pollute 
this  sheet  with  a  record  of  particulars,  nor  will  I  give 
the  printers,  who  were  too  generally  the  editors  of  them, 
the  honour  of  even  mentioning  a  name.     Thttse  prin- 
ters were  mostly  needy  adventurers,  ar.d  by  no  means 
such,  as  should  dir  ct  that  important  engine,  the  press. 
They  had  writers  indeed  of  sterling  talent,  for  in  fact 
very  few  men  published  their  lucubr.itions,  but  in  the 
newspapers;  except  they  were  of  a  decidedly  religious 
or  literary  character,  and  then  they  found  their  way  in- 
to themagazir      of  the  time,  which  were  tot)  often  but 

raeagn-'  con  )ns. 

I  do  not  rL>  ....et  more  thu..  two  works  of  national 
interest  and  importunce  written  in  the  times,  that  pre- 
ceded the  civil  wars  and  troubles  of  my  countiy.  These 
were,  the  immortal  "  Defence  of  the  A-uerican  Con- 
stitutions," by  the  second  President,  aocompanied,  as 
it  now  is,  l)y  its  more  valuable  supplement,  his  inesli- 
mable  "  Lectures  on  Davila  ;"  and  the  hfe  of  the  illus- 
trious Father  of  his  country,  by  the  Chief  Justice,  Miu"- 


■28 


shall.     There  were  indeed  "Annals,"  published  by  u 
Doctor  in  Divinity,  of  a  general  nature  and  ably  ex- 
ecuted, but  this  snould  not  be  eallcd  an  original  work. 
There  were  also  sermons  almost  innumerable,  and  s)S- 
tems  of  ethickrs  and  thcolo^^y,  but  many  of  those  are 
no  longer  remembered,  and  now  hardly  to  be  Ibund  in 
our  libraries.     The  writings  indeed  of  Mayhew  and 
tdwards,    Iklknap,  the  accomplished  historian,    and 
Clarke,  his  more  aceoniplishcd  i.knd,  as  also  of  sev- 
eral provincial  authors,  obtained  and  yet  receive  high 
and  deserved  applause.      So  did  Franklin's.     But  we 
had  no  Fenelon,  no  Doddridge,  no  Montesquieu,  no 
de  Mornay,  no  Newton,  Shakesix-re,  xMilton,  Boyle  or 
(Joupir.     >\'e  had  our  iViarmontels,  our  I   nleys,  our 
Chathams,   Marlboroughs,   Addisons   and  Swifts,  and 
imitators  of  Junius  by  l.undreds.     Indeud  his  assassin- 
ating periods,  his  dark  insinuations,  and  bold  invectives 
peculiarly  suited    oin-    nc\\spaper  editors,     paragraph 
scribblers,  shallow  pamphleteers,  and  theatrical  criticks. 
From  this   sketch  you  see  tiiat,  in  such   a  ehaotick 
state  of  character,   such  a  mixture  ol    Dutch  i)hlegm, 
the  sanguine  ((,m]>lexion  of  the  Fnglishman,   French 
eholer  and  vanity,    Irish  rapidity,    German  sensibility 
and  patient  industry,  Negro  indiflerence,  and  Indian 
indolence,  there  was  "pabuium,"  assay  the  naturalists, 
for  any   phut  whateMT.      And  a  planter,  skilful,  per- 
severing and  wary,  was  not  long  wanting. 

Your'h  aftcctionatclv- 


LETTER  IV. 


% 

I 


My   DEAR  Julius, 

If  my  last  letter  prcbcnted  you  an  unpleasini?  pic- 
ture, this  offers  one  much  more  disgustinj;  and  dis- 
tressing. But  it  shall  be  short,  for  of  all  moral  paint- 
ings Unit  of  the  degradation  of  a  free  born  people  is  the 
most  humiliating. 

I  have  noticed  die  ("ontinual  exertions  of  the  French 
and  their  partisans  to  cause  a  political  diversion  in  tiicir 
favouramongthe  Southern  Statesof  the  American  Union. 
I  observed  duit  they  met  success,  and  the  reason  is  ap- 
parent. Then  had  been  front  a  very  early  period  in 
d»c  histor)'  of  die  federation,  a  decided  prediiectioi.  foi- 
France  and  French  mamiers  in  several  indi\  iduals  high 

in  otVice.* 

This  preponderance  ol'  regard  to  France  Hattered  that 
insidious  court  with  thr   prospect  of  a  great  iicc.ssion 

'  Tlu  f„llouin(Cpass;.Kc  Us  iKcntak.i.  tVon,  its  (.l-'  m  tiu-  t.Nt,  and 

.s.l,,„..a.,.: u.Mm.......    :    u   nM,..lu,..s  „r  .1,..    ,„.,..,„  .lay  w,„.Ul 

t;,l  an  inuT.  st  in  ,..  ..ul  it  .-.uLl  !..^.'  l->  n  ,„.mwma  In  n,y  (..lu  ronlv 
from  h.s  ,vn,lk.ti..n  of  tlu-  puliti.  k,  .,(1...  .uil,.  r  yc.rs.  Kn.  r. 

..lut„.,u.   1,^1.,,  au.l    V uasMurnM.h    i,.pv:n..  .1  ..nl  .  Muur.M.M,  .s 

,1k  .  om  .t  of  il.>-  l,m.  .  Iu,,n  .  o.a  t.,  sa,  tlu-  ,.u,Mr,.H,s  J  .  .  ^  r.    nv.  for 
..    .  _     ,       -.•.!;,■.!;•.   !■.:•.!■!'.    t' 'Hiii-i.iiis  :.i.'''ti-ril,   as 


:  ^^^^^mmmim^^iMmr^ 


St 


•  IP 


of  power.  And  a  circumstance  apparently  casual  pre- 
pared a  train  of  events,  wiiith  have  issued  in  the  de- 
struction of  the  antient  federation. 

While  the  First  Emperour  of  France  was  only  Con- 
sul, one  of  his  younger  brothers  \'isited  America,  and 
becoming  attached  to  the  daughter  of  a  principal  citi- 
zen of  Baltimore  obtained  her  in  marriage.  As  his 
brother  advanced  in  dignity,  however,  this  marriage 
was  regarded  as  too  low  for  one,  who  uught  aspire  to 
the  liand  of  a  princess,  and  was  accordingly  annulled, 
under  pretence  of  being  illegally  contracted.  But  there 
was  issue  of  the  marriage  ;  and  the  subsequent  fortunes 
of  the  Buonapartes  rendered  this  issue  exceedingly  in- 
teresting to  France  and  America.  For  to  the  family 
of  the  mother,  and  much  more  to  the  pariisans  of 
France,  who  ever  abounded  in  the  city  of  her  residence, 
the  violent  politicians,  who  espoused  the  French  in- 
terests, directed  their  thoughts. 

Political  dissensions  ran  high  ;  and  as  in  the  unhap- 
py capital  of  the  Greek  Empire  an  infotuated  partisan 
would  have  seen  with  more  pleasure  a  Turkish  turl:«n 
upon  the  altar,  than  a  Latin  mitre,  so  diere  were  men  of 


•ssistcd  llip  Amrrif  alls  in  llicir  stnifTj^lc  for  independence.  1  do  not 
take  iHipon  myself  to  fXtiilputc  liiiii,  lur  u  rciirw  of  liis  measures  tends 
ton  evidently  to  a  eonvietion,  tira',  lie  inihily. d  severe  prejiidires  a>,ainst 
Endund.  And  tlie  times,  in  vvliirli  lie  lived,  admitted  of  but  two  dispo- 
sitions in  public  men,  as  r'  ^'ardcd  forcipn  nations.  I  fully  believe,  liow- 
evcr,  be  sincerely  wislit-d  well  to  bis  comilry  ;  and  if  he  erred,  am  will- 
in|;^  to  impute  bis  en-.urs  to  a  too  speculative  view  of  lier  );re:il  interests. 
nut  had  be  ilicd  Sfrri'trirv  of  St^i'ei  !>!»  name  would  b.ave  Iseen  trsns- 
milti  (I  to  after  times,  as  indispuValdy  one  of  the  ffreatcst  men,  whom 
America  produced 


■^raL^.^iy|^ 


SI 

the   party  called   democratick,  ^\ho   openly   asserted, 
they  would  prefer  a  French  Emperour  in  America  to 
a  federal  President.     Such  insinuations  were  not  lost. 
The  French  generals,  and  those  of  that  nation,  who, 
pretending  disgust  at  the  proceedings  of  the  Emperour, 
feigned  to  seek  an  asylum  in  America,  were   now  san- 
guine  in  their  views.      They   gradually  offered  their 
services  to  the  administration,  and  were  favourably  re- 
ceived.    Intrigue  indeed  effected  a  choice  of  such  men, 
as  officers  ;  and  at  length,  under  a  pretext  of  I  know 
not  what   kind,  f'-r  it  always  appeared  to  me  a  pre- 
sumption on  the  weakness  or  partiality  of  the  govern- 
ment, a  body  of  troops,  so  officered,  obtained  an  es- 
tablishment in  the  country.      In  numbers  they  now 
■|  found  themselves  formidable,  and  appeared,  from  the 

predilection  of  their  partisans,  invincible.  But,  as 
might  naturally  be  expected,  native  Americans,  iuid  es- 
pecially those  of  the  middle  and  northern  States,  con- 
ceived a  disgust  at  these  measures.  They  found  them- 
selves neglected,  and  openly  predicted  the  consequences 
of  the  steps  then  taken.  And  since  politically  as  well, 
as  philosophically,  action  and  reaction  are  equal,  this 
conduct  created  resentment,  and  paved  the  way  for  a 
separation  of  interests. 

Virginia,  as  a  state,  found  protection  against  her  ne- 
gro population  in  the  troojis  before  mentioned,  v/hich, 
for  obvious  reasons,  were  quanered  in  the  South.  She 
had  ever  been  indifferent  to  the  Federal  Union,  except 
when  she  herself  was  the  acknowledged  head  of  it. 
And  now,  linding  that  the  partuility  her  cilliicnb  had 
mauiiebled  toward  the  French  alienated  the  confidencr 


^^^^g^m 


32 

of  the  noiliiern  vStatcs,  she  set  up,  by  her  wviters,  the 
luic  and  cry  of  "  British  influence."  British  influence 
indeed  would  naturally  be  exerted,  could  it  find  its  ob- 
jects, wherever  French  influence  was  apparent  ;  for 
such  conduct  it  is  reasonable  to  expect  from  rivi'l  na- 
tions. It  was  now  too  late  to  recede,  and  the  cry  of 
war  resounded  from  die  south.  They  too,  who  were 
disaftected  to  Viririiiia  and  her  interests,  demanded  war. 
Numerpus  publications  of  mutual  defiance  issued  from 
nordiern  and  southern  presses.  ^'irs;inia  was  now 
openly  charged,  as  she  had  often  been  !)ef()re,  though 
less  directlv,  with  wilfully  taking  measures  to  dissolve 
the  national  compact.  The  charge  uas  not  denied. 
She  claimed  her  right ;  and  appealing  to  the  world,  and 
especially  to  France,  placed  at  the  head  of  her  interests 
a  man  devoted  to  the  Empire,  and  cast  die  gaundet  oi" 
(•i\  il  war  at  the  feet  of  the  )  et  confederated  States. 

But  this  was  not  all.  France,  to  whom  the  aj)peal 
was  made,  demanded  a  price  for  her  friendshir  It 
nas  declared  by  her  resident  therefore  to  Viiginia  and 
her  friends,  that  the  urgency  of  ihv  times,  and  tlie  cir- 
cumstances of  the  nation  ref|uired  a  decided  balance  to 
the  English  pow er  ;  that  indi.cd  a  strong  aid  would  be 
reciuisite  to  :!ssure  to  them  a  defence  against  the  uncer- 
tainties of  domestick  \'. ar  ;  but  that  France  must  ha\c 
some  adequate  eumpcnsation  for  her  sacrifices  ;  yet,  as 
she  exceedingly  Vvished  the  happiness  of  her  beloved 
allies,  would  in  kindness  wax  e  that  quesli  )n,  and,  as  an 
eiirnest  of  her  good  w  ill,  and  of  the  patt.rn.il  re g.ird  of 
her  Emperoiir,  would  condescend,  that  tli<.  Soiuhem 
Division  of  the  Suites,  which  had  seceded  from  the  late 


* 


^i.M^u>t^y^ 


-^.ji^- 


33 

Union,  should  be  the  future  cure  of  a  son  of  her  Im- 
perial family,  orj  allied  to  the  Americans  by  blood 
and  every  tender  consideration  ;  and  that,  in  conse- 
quence of  these  gracious  determinations,  she  formally 
appointed  tlie  respectable  chief,  whom  Virginia  had 
elected,  her  Imperial  priefect  for  that  purpose,  to  gov- 
ern and  enlarge  the  domain,  as  lieutenant  of  the  king- 
dom, for  the  few  years  that  its  lawful  heir  should  remain 
in  his  minority. 

Your  affectionate  Father. 


I,.  I 


^^^  ^     a^^^^mkMJkMDH^  m\ 


\*€r- 


'-♦T  «< 


LETTER  V. 


It  is  now  time,  my  Son,  after  having  rapidly  drawn 
for  }  ou  the  proccdin.e;  ortline  of  national  degradations, 
for  I  have  omitted  many  intervening  faets,  oeeause  the 
narration  gave  me  pain  ;  it  is   now  time  to  advert  to 
the  North  Eastern  Slates,  and  bring  down  their  histor}- 
to  the  period,  at  whieh  we  left  the  affairs  of  the  South. 
Had  that  \alual)le  library  of  domestick  history,  col- 
lected by  the  friends  and  associates  of  Belknap  and 
Minot,  survived  tlie  troubles  of  civil  war,  it  would  have 
been  needless  for  me  to  leave  you  any  hints  of  Uk  au 
tient  history  of  New  England.     It  \mis  doubtless  a  poli^ 
tick  measure  of  his  Mr.jesty's  lieutenants  to  suppress 
also  the  publication  of  those  patriotick   details  of  his- 
tor}-,  whieli  could  serve  only  to  renew  die  memory  of 
a  different  form  of  government  from  the  preseiit,  and 
of  purer  times,  than  those,  in  which  we  U\  e.     But  1 
have  always  spoken  and  will  still  speak  to  you  the  truth. 
For  should  I  now  forfeit  the  favour  of  my  Sovereign 
by  concealing  facts  and  sentiments  '^     Should  I  lea^■e 
your  name  branded  with  my  derelictions  "?     It  is  true 
I  am  left  alone.     Perhaps  his  Majesty  has  been  inclin- 
ed to  respect  in  my  aged  person  the  Hepublick,  whose 
existence  was  once   incompatible  with  his  satet\ ,  but 
which  he  has  long  since  ceased  to  fear,  because  he  has 


36 


i 


taught  its  citizens,  now  his  dutiful  subjects,  to  esteem 
and  to  love  him.  Or,  perhaps,  he  bestows  his  notice 
on  me  from  an  innate  nobleness,  prompting  him  with 
tenderness  toward  the  houry  head. 

The  States  cast  of  the  Hudson  ^\■ere  peopled  b\-  a  body 
of  men  distinct,  in  several  respects,  from  the  f:;cnerality 
of  the  colonists.  It  was  not  thirst  of  gain  nor  de- 
sire of  contpiest,  which  instigated  llic  fathers  of  New 
England  to  kwe  their  native  home.  Considerations  of 
religion  were  the  groimd  of  their  removal  ;  and  the 
nrtjority  of  the  eail\'  settlers  were  n)en  (,>f  a  rigid  in- 
deed, !)ut  distinguished  piet\.  Several  of  them  dcs- 
cciidcd  of  resj)ectable  f;unilies,  w  ho  had  earl\  embraced 
the  doctrines  of  the  Reformation,  and  had  dissented  from 
the  Faiglish  Church  establishment.  Others  were  them- 
seh  es  the  first  of  iheir  families  to  dissent.  They  were 
modeiiiteiy  RepubHcan  in  piinciple,  but  ne\ertheless 
loyal  subjects.  Nui  a  man  of  their  comjnmy,  perhaps, 
entertained  \ic  ws  of  a  distinct,  independent  sox  ereig'it\-. 
Tliey  were  attaclied  to  the  country,  which  a  sou*  of 
one  of  their  number  emphatically  called  "the  land  of 
our  father's  se]r,ilehres,"  and  gloried  in  the  rights  and 
pri\iliges  of  freeborn  KiiglishnKn.  Their  first  |)er- 
manent  settlem:  nt  was  at  Piymoiuh,  where  a  venerable 
l)and  established  themselves  ;  and  in  m\  day  se\eral 
ol  their  descendents  held  a  distinguished  rank  in  the 
churches  and  in  the  state.  Tiie  next  was  at  Salem, 
\vhi(  h  issued  in  the  formation  of  the  colon\  of  Massa- 
chusells-bay.      Then    fi^llowed    Nexv  Hampshire   and 


I 


37 

Hhodc  Island,  from  different  views  and  causes  indeed, 
lor  the  former  was  settled  thiouii;h  interested  speeula- 
tions,  and  the  1  .Iter  by  persecuted  religionists.     Con- 
necticut reeei\cd  her  iuhibitant,  principally  from  the 
colonists  oi  the  Massachusetts,  i.  id  among  her  civil  and 
religious  fulKis  boasted  the  ijrightest  ornaments  of  die 
times,     Maine  was  patented  to  a  noble  famil\ ,  and,  like 
New  Hampshire,  obtai.ied    her  ILiu-opean    population 
dirough  permission  of  an  individual  propiietar\ .     All 
these  separate  tujlonies  w  ere,  at  one  period  of  their  his- 
lor}-,  united  by  a  federation,  of  w  hieh  the  traces  con- 
tinued c\ er  after. 

But  as  the  New  '".nglanders,  so  named,  were  a  healthy, 
hardy  race,  and  possessed  a  tnict  by  no  nuans  the  most 
fertile  of  die  United  territories,  m any  of  them  migrat- 
ed into  other  Statis,  and  especially  after  the  revolution- 
ary war,  which  separated  them  from  I^ngland.       New 
Y(jrk  received  in  this  n^aniiir  the  greater  part  of  her 
western  subjects,  and  e\en  the  cap.ilal  of  diat  nante  em- 
braced in  it  many,   who,  (kri\iui;  tlieir  descuit  f.om 
New  English  ancestors,  retail..  1  a  memorial   c)f  ii  in 
annual  celebrations.       The^e  were  conunon  in  New 
Kngland,  and  subserve  tl  the  i)urposes  of  attaching  die 
inhabitants  to  each  other,  of  rendering  them  legiirdful 
of  the  religious  and  political  character  of  their  fore- 
fathers, and  of  transmilliiig  to  posterity  die  n  collet  lions 
of  deeds  of  old.      A  few  distinguished  indi\  idnals,  it 
mav  be,  used  tin  in  as  nuans  of  attracting  personal  no- 
tice,  and  thus  of  obtaining  iiiiUieiice  aii.l  aggrandise 
nieiit. 





J8 


■Is 
■'* 


In  Inter  times  there  was  aixculiar  synipath)  Ixiween 
the  inhabitants  of  New  England  and  New  York,  ground- 
ed on  commercial  connexions.      Tlie  grand  mart  for 
a  great  portion  of  the  produce  of  the  western  lands  of 
New  England  was  die  flourishing  city  of  New  York. 
Hence  that  State  was  ranked  with  the  old  confederation 
of  the  East  in  tho:,e  alarming  calculations  of  popula- 
tion, wealth,  militar-  sucnglh  and  general  resources, 
which,  under  the  third  President,  were  very  imprudent- 
h  and  rashly  brought  forward  by  indivichuils,  who  \verc 
no  friends,  it  is  true,  io  \iiginlan  politicks.      1  say  im- 
prudentl}-  and  rashl\ ,  because  the  ciuestion  <ji   separa- 
tion ought  never  to  ha\ e   been  debated,      ikhold  now 
die  conseciueuces  !   To  iiV.v  the  idea  should,  from  i!»c 
first,  have   been    deemed    implicit   treason  ;    and  the 
man,  who  broached   the    plan  of  it,   should  have  Ixen 
held  uj),  as  an  cneni}  to  his  country,  whether  Ik  were 
a  Virginian  or  New  Iv.iglander.     On  diat  queslion  dc- 
peniled  the  fate  of  the  country.      And  subsetjuent  events 
ha\  e  i)ro\  ed  that,  t!\e  commencemt  nt  of  its  considera- 
tion was  the  ivra  of  our  calamities. 

In  the  political  contests  and  discussions  of  that  daj 
die  disputants  seemed  to  have  forgotten.  Unit  the  gov 
iiinnent    was  decidedly   and  legally  a  creation  of  die 
uuioril} ,  and  diat  of  eoiu-se  it  was  the  duty  of  aniiufH- 
itv  to  submit  with  cheerfni  loyaltv .     Those  too,  who 
were  in   powir,   should   have   used  duit  pov\  ( r  widi  a 
Christian  moderaliun.     Bui  was  tiie  want  of  diis  ([uali 
ly  the  fault  of  .\mericans,  as  such  ?    U  was  human  na- 
ture ;  and   tlu  rifore   the    framers  of  our  constitutions 
\-  is'  Iv  prov  ided  the  means  of  a  c  hange  of  ;,tLniii>istriUU'<. 


ii 


39 


that  mutual  dependence  mif^ht  beget  and  nurture  mu- 
tual charity.  But  it  tended  rather  to  inibuicr  don\es 
tick  and  ci\  il  life.  Party  lancour  prevailed  -mow  after 
die  ibrniati(}n  of  a  j^erniancnt  '^ciural  l;()\  ernment.  And 
I  was  accustomed  to  think  that  diey,  avIio  v.  ere  denom- 
inated Federalists,  mit^ht  thank  tliemselves  for  die  rage 
of  its  venom.  For  when,  diey  had  po\\v.r,  tluir  op- 
ponents were  absolutely  trampled  upon.  Nothing  was 
too  base  to  impute  ni.     Hence  their  increase  of 

numlKTs  and  influe  nd,  as  mimkind  naturally  fa- 

vour a  persecuted  bi,vi\ ,  hence  they  became  the  domi 
nant  party.  But  iis  their  jwlitical  jMvdeccssors  gener- 
allv  possessed  the  wealth  of  the-  nation,  diere  arose  a 
struggle  between  the  aristocracy  of  money  and  du 
aristocrac)  of  office,  in  which  each  party  was  ef]ually 
tenacious  of  its  rights.  Could  dierc  ha\c  been  an 
aristocracy  of  honour,  to  check  and  balance  diese  two 
partiis,  possibly  the  form  of  p;o\ernment  might  have 
subsisted  much  longer. 

Men  love  distinction  ;  and  distinction  diey   v'H  ob 
tain,diough  in  sonu  instances  it  be  by  die  hardihood  ol 
villainy.     Few  of  the  nations  of  die  earth  have  i    hibii- 
cd  a  greater  loie  of  it,  than  the  Americans;  though 
among  ft  w  could  it  e\er  be   less  indulged  wnl    prn 
denct.      'I'hi-.  circumstance,  howexir,  letided  bill  to 
smothir,  not  to  extinguish  llie  passion.     Hank  aiul    itUs 
uere  eagcrlv  «<>nrtcd,and  pertinaciously  kept,  IVoi    th< 
corporal  to  the  (;ii)tain-general,  and  from  die  tide  waiter 
to  the  President,      i  am,  notwithstanding  eontnuA  ap 
pearan.ces.  incHntd  sli!!  tn  think,  that  the  love  of  tilidai 
distinctions  was  ,»rr\al<  ni  ainoii!'-  thr  Ntw  rai;.!;.nd'  's 


40 


more,  than  uiuoni^  the  \'iririnians  and  their  associates. 
The  latter  \\cre  generally  bred  in  hal/its  of  superiority, 
rmd  aceustomeil  to  dell  renee  iVoni  early  years,  o\\  ing 
'  ,  die  |:!;reat  prevalence  of  slavery  in  those  times.     Tlic 
former  were  commonly  accustomed  to  stand  on  the 
r^ound  of  indi\  idiuil  character,  and  had  few  adventi- 
tious circumstances  to  enhance  their  personal  merits. 
Far  iVom  being  the  mere  appendage  to  his  estate,  the 
New-Englander  was  generally,  under  Providence,  the 
creator  of  whatever  fortune  he  enjoyed.     Multiplying 
rapidly,  f:om  the  fecundity  conseqi>ent  onUieir  climate 
and  habits,  the  people  of  New- England  saw  their  pro- 
perty liable  to  frec[uent  and  indefmite  subdivisions  ; 
while  the  single  heir  of  the  rich  southern  |)lanter  often 
surve\ed  from  die    same   "  maison   scigneuriale"  the 
hereditary  and  •  ndiminished  fields  of  his  family  for 
several  generations. 

Hence  die  planters  were,  in  fact,  a  kind  <jf  lords  ; 
and  so  too  were  die  merchants,  another  b.ody  of  "  hon- 
ourable men;"  and  between  die  two  Uierc  obtained 
not  only  a  donustick  ri\ah-y,but  a  ci\il  competition. 

T  think  that,  v.hcn  S\\ itzeiland  thi ew  off  the  yoke  ol 
Austria,  she  enacted  sumptuary  L.v\s  for  'ier  citizens. 
Whether  she  did  <>r  not  ii()Wi\er,  I  can  coiiceiw  of  no 
better  mediod,  if  jiracticabie,  to  restrain  nithin  biuinds 
one  species  of  shou  and  paiiule,  to  n  hieh  die  emulation, 
I  have  named,  nanirally  tends.  Our  Americans  were 
ri'relv  desiroesof  ri\ ailing  the  antieit  Ht|>ubiicans  of 
Home  in  their  pmerty.  Tluy  emulated  rather  their 
power  and  jiersonal  inlUience.  Ami  i^  K.  m^ans  of  ob 
UiininL'  tlwm,  tJKhC  nere  such,  as  happened  to  Ik-  in 


41 


fashion.  Were  I  to  deckle,  my  Son,  l)et\vcen  ihc  res- 
|)ective  aristocracies  of  honour  and  of  wealtli,  I  think  I 
should  gi\  e  the  fornier  a  preference,  because  it  natural- 
ly produces  civilit) ,  since  it  depends  on  publiek  esti- 
mation ;  whereas  the  other  is  the  very  parent  of  arro- 
gance. And  I  never  knew  any  men  demand  more  no- 
tice, and  practise  more  ostentation,  as  I  think  I  observ- 
ed to  }  ()U  before,  than  the  "  hommes  parvenus,"  who 
jrrew  up,  like  mushrooms,  w  ith  sudden  exuberance,  in 
the  rank  scil  ol  commercial  prosperit}-. 

Tlicrc  were  families,  who  cultivated  and  Ijoasted  a 
lamily  interest.  Rut  this  dantrcrous  idea  spraiis^  from 
an  excess  of  wealth  above  the  freneral  mediocrity, and 
it  tended  to  e\  cuts  the  most  important.  For  no  soon- 
er did  it  ajjpear,  from  the  measures  of  X'irpjinia  and 
her  associates,  that  a  |)olitical  so\  ereignty,  of  whatever 
name,  was  about  to  be  formed  in  the  South,  than  ev- 
ery exertion  wa'^  made  amons^  influential  men  of  the 
North,  to  increase  their  inihienci,  and  form  a  separate 
dominion.  For  this  i)inpose  there  was  a  sufliciency  of 
means,  which  were  now  collectinji^  w  ith  dili}i,ence. 

Durinir  these  discussions  and  a'ti  nipts,  the  Middle 

States,  as  the\    weic-  named,   i)erse\ered  in  a  steady 

course  of  Hei)ul)lic;insm,   with  jijreat  firnmess.     The 

society  of  Friends,  w'l  eh   nii^ious  sect  had  |jfained  a 

|)repon(l;rance  both  in  wealth  and  power  in  the  State  of 

lVnns}lvania,  iniited  their  views  and  exertions  with 

those  of  the  sober,  fruj^al,  indiistrious  (Krmans,  and 

stood    uiuiio\ed  by  either  the  threats  or  flatteries  of 

tlkir  neidibours.     Similarity   of  interests  attached  to 

iIkui  the  }et  disconnected   States  f>f  their  imnudi;'' ■ 
(3 


;:>^:.,.>:^,,;?V,;,;J^,Al| 


i 


I 


42 

vicinity,  and  the  whole  body  were  equally  deaf  to 
Northern  and  Southern  overtures.  They  aiforded  thus 
a  desirable  and  safe  asylum  to  all,  Mho  preferred  the 
antient  state  of  aftUirs  to  any  inno\  ation  ;  and  though 
several,  entertainin.u;  opinions  diflerent  from  those  of 
the  majority,  quitted  dieir  territory,  the  republican  im- 
mij,-rants  considerably  exceeded  them  in  number. 
These  immigrants  consisted  of  persons  of  every  con- 
dition, and  their  motion  was  continually  westward,  for 
the  western  country  increased  greatly  in  value  and  im- 
portance. 

Under  such  a  state  of  dungs  the  antient  confedera- 
tion of  the  colonies  of  New  Kngland  was  brought  for- 
cibly to  view.  The  hostility  manifested  by  Virginians 
to  commerce,  in  which  consisted  the  life  of  the  Nordi- 
castern  Slaves  ;  their  hostility  also  to  Kngland  and  the 
new  Viceroyalty  of  the  North,  with  both  of  which  the 
New  I'>nglanders  were  necessitated  to  maintain  a  close 
connexion,  and  still  further,  their  devotedness  to  the 
^  ieus  of  France,  to  which  the  men  oi  the  north  c(  '"Id 
never  l^rook  a  subserviency,  all  joined  to  sever  the 
l)onds  of  connexion,  and  to  prepare  the  way  for  a  new 
and  distinct  goxernment. 

1  w  ill  not  enter  into  a  detail  of  the  debates  of  that 
c\enlful  period.  1  look  on  all  die  scenes  I  have  related 
widi  honor  ;  and  you,  my  dear  Son,  must  esteem  it 
the  strongest  proof  1  can  gi\  e  you  of  die  sincerest  love, 
that  1  sit  down  to  a  narration  \\\\id\  aw akens  unheeded 
and  ineftVctual  regrets,  and  will  e\er  be  the  Uieme  o) 
mortificaU'.-n  and  mmiuw. 


"^^^I'-m^i^ 


■      43 

But  perhaps  it  was  best,  indeed  I  doubt  not  it  was 
best,  that  events  should  have  issued  as  they  did.     Tiie 
contests  between  rival  families,  rival  systems  of  gov- 
ernment, and  rival  competitors  were  long  and  violent. 
At  length  a  Presidency  for  life  was  agreed  on  ;    and 
since  m  New  Kngland  there  was  a  nuitual  interest,  suf- 
ficient of  itself  to  attach  the  se\eral  members,  this  high 
and  responsible  office  was  bestowed  on  the  meritorious 
Head  of  one  of  the  most  powerful  and  opulent  families 
of  the  former  State  of  New  Y  ork .     As  a  compensation 
however  to  the  original  Confederation,  the  old  metropo- 
lis of  New  England  was  constituted  forever  the  capital 
of  this  new  and  most  interesting  Commonwealth. 

Your  aged  Father. 


LETTER  VT. 


Having  carried  you,  my  Son,  thus  far,  shall  I  not 
now  tjjiv  c  vent  to  my  feelings  ?  But,  alas,  of  what  avail 
Avould  it  be  !  I  am  deelining  to  the  grave.  I  have  sur- 
vived my  country.  I  am  among  the  last  of  those,  who 
saw  the  golden  days  of  Republican  freedom.  Yet  if 
kingly  power  can  in  any  hands  conciliate  esteem,  and 
re\erence,  and  duty,  certainly  these  are  due  to  our 
gracious  Sovereign.  Ncer,  perhaps,  could  a  people 
look  back  on  so  natural  a  series  of  e\'ents,  as  have 
formed  the  progression  of  the  northern  colonies  to  a 
free,  sovereign,  independent  and  powerful  monarchy. 
But  I,  the  inhaliitant,  as  it  were,  of  another  countrj^', 
and  the  relict  of  another  race,  look  back  with  peculiar 
sensations.  The  immortal  names  of  Carver,  Bradford, 
VV'inthrop,  Ha\  nes.  Hooker,  Cotton,  Higgmson— and 
a  long  train  of  worthies,  men  of  piety,  of  learning,  and 
of  the  purest  patriotism,  swell  my  l)osom  n  ith  indes- 
cribable emotions.  I'iie  eblnng  blood  thrills  through 
these  withered  veins  with  a  m<jmentary  glow  ;  and 
when  I  shall  be  permitted  to  rest  from  a  wearisome 
pilgrimage,  O  spirits  of  my  ancestors  !  "  Sit  anima 
mea,  I'uritani,  vobiscum  !" 

The  choice  of  a  President  of  the  new  Republick  for 
a  time  allayed  the  contentions  of  parties,  but  for  a  short 


.■C; 


45 

time  only.  As  \vc  Ivid  no  royal,*  nor  any  incontcsti- 
l)ly  noI)le  blood  amont;  us,  and  were  not  in  the  state 
of  a  conquered  people,  the  principal  citizens  caballed 
lor  distinction.  They  regretted  the  work  of  their  own 
hands  ;  that  they  had  been  accessory  in  the  elevation 
of  one  like  dieniselves  to  a  rank  pre-eminently  splen- 
did, and  had  done  all  in  their  power  to  estal)lish  an 
hereditary  s\\ay,  consigning  themselves  and  their  pos- 
terit\ ,  by  this  aetion,  to  a  despotism,  that  state,  which 
is  the  first  and  the  last  in  the  progress  of  civilised  man. 

But  these  complaints  availed  little.  They  served 
onlv  to  cause  an  unders  ndiug  between  the  President 
and  the  British  Prince,  who  had  now  assumed  the  style 
and  power  of  a  Monarch.  These  strengthened  the 
bonds  of  their  alliance,  and  it  was  intimated  b\  the- 
former,  that  an  oftl*nsivc  and  defensive  treaty  could 
alone  assure  them  both  against  the  arts  and  arms  of 
France  and  her  V'-'ginian  ally.  Wary,  cautious,  vigi- 
lant and  indefatigable,  the  King,  as  was  his  interest, 
acceded  cordially.  And  occasions  soon  offered  (jf 
testing  their  strengtli.  The  malcontents  of  the  north 
held  a  close  correspondence  with  His  Virginian  Majes- 
ty, and  stimulated  him  \\  ith  du  hope  of  recov  ering  the 
whole  territory,  that  had  antiently  been  the  domain  of 
the  United  States. 

]'\  the  nordi  a  vigorous  preparation  for  war  imme- 
diately conunenced.  RelK-Hion  had  begun,  and  was 
rife  in  New  Kugland.      But  why   should  1  relate  the 


-  Till-  imperial  hlood  of  l'.)\vliut;in,  it  wil.  be  rccolkclLil,  ennobled  tlic 
.cliis  ijf  no  Nunh'.rii  t'ainilv  Ed. 


u  I 


s 


■, 


fl< 


46 

muixlcrs,  stifles,  devastations  and  cruelties  of  a  modi 
of  ^varfare  ever  the  most  bloody  ?  Why  paint  to  yovi 
the  rage,  barbarity  and  brutal  violence  of  a  contest  so 
deplorable  and  fatal  ? 

His  ^"irsrinian  Miijesty  issued  a  manifesto  which  laid 
all  b'..n-  11  the  Northern  Court.  This  was  accused 
of  plotting  \vith  the  President  of  New  England  the 
subjugation  of  that  Rejjublick  ;  and  no  circumstance 
was  omitted,  which  could  ser\  e  to  represent  if  in  col- 
ours the  most  detestable. 

While  these  great  events  Vvcre  transacting,  the  me- 
tropolis of  the  kingdom,  the  IVlcrsburgh  of  America, 
enjojed  the  greatest  |)rivileges  and  prosperity.  Her 
commerce  was  immense,  taking  its  rise  principally  from 
that  period,  when  a  ruinous  embargo  cramped  every 
commercial  town  of  the  United  States,  and  she  had 
then  and  since  attracted  to  herself  mechanieks,  mer- 
chants, professional  men,  without  number,  employing 
them,  and  rew  arding  their  talents  with  mcrhed  afflu- 
ence. Like  London,  Quebcck  was  now  the  mart  not 
only  of  trade,  but  of  literature  ;  the  •'  Royal  American 
board"  of  which,  under  the  fostering  patronage  of  a 
discerning  Prince,  became  highly  instrumental  in  the 
promotion  of  science.  Canals  had  joined  the  waters 
of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Atlantick  by  the  Nordi 
River  of  New  York   and  die  Kennebeck,   while   the 

great  bay  of  Hudson  by  like  meiuis  supplied  the  capi- 
tal with  a  communication  as  extensi\c,  as  important. 

throughout  all  that  northern  tract. 

Not  many  years  intcr\  ened  before  the  Suites  of  New 

England  were  compelled  by  imperious  circumstances 


47 

to  form  an  indissoluble  Union  u  ith  His  Miijcsty  of  the 
North.  To  tliis  their  habits  of  thinkiiu^  and  livin;^,  a 
commui\ity  of  language  and  similarity  of  religious  be- 
lief, with,  a  mutual  good  Avil)-^  among  t'^ir  religious 
teachers  now  combined  to  incite.  And  this,  the  eflect 
at  lengdi  of  a  more  intimate  alliance  with  the  President, 
by  the  man-iage  of  his  daughter  to  the  reigning  Sov- 
ereign, seemed  to  promise  tranquillit} . 

But  the  war  raged.  Those,  who  were  dissatisfied, 
or  compelled  to  (luit  the  territory,  retired  to  the  West. 
And  it  is  lar  more  than  prcjbable,  that  there  \\  ill  be  the 
last  stand  of  American  Republicanism.  Nor  should  1 
be  surprised,  if,  notu  ithstanding  present  appeara!u:es, 
and  the  animosit}-  of  the  Northern  and  Southern  Courts, 
they  should  yet  find  their  interest  in  unhing  their  force 
to  extermuu-ite  its  hist  traces. 

Terhaps,  my  Julius,  you  may  live  to  see  all  things 
settled.  Quiet  may  be  restored  to  this  unhappy  coun 
try  in  all  its  parts,  a  (iuiet,  which  for  fifty  years  and 
more  has  been  prostituted  and  abandoned.  Perhap- 
you  ma\  li\e  to  bless  the  period,  w hen  a  people,  a\1k. 
had  neither  the  wisdom  nor  virtue  to  protect  the  gox 
ernment  of  their  first  and  deliberate  choice,  submitted 
to  receive  a  system  iniposed  by  arms,  and  then  render- 
ed dear,  by  a  rememl>rance  of  the  woes,  from  Mhieh  it 
rescued.     But  for  myself,  as  I  never  cc;used  repe;;iing 


•  For,  c'u'.iei-  by    ;i   louj;   m;.1ir/ni;.r  ilcsipi,   (.r  I'n  •(.■!;;:' 'V-'  -'""i,"-'*  "' 
i.iim-,ili.-  IiuKiuiuifiil  aiM-iil'fHf  of  tlic  Nc-w  F.r.Kruvl  ;'uiii>'u  -  \..'>  ii'    > 

.•^Uil)li>ln.-il  ,iifiiv(iiii-()faliari-.r  ..rCo.incCtil-i»       'l'^^.  F.,..sr.  ;i:.u,ili-.  v. .    •■ 
(■••niii'si,-  pr'.ji.ircil  f';r  t  ni.  ■■  !  - 1' 


48 


tomv  former  compatriots,  "  Quo,  miscri  civcs,  ruitis  V 
so  I  shall  cv cr  sa}'  of  those,  wlio  wac  oiicc  the  bi\\)p\ 
subjects  of  the  United  States, 

'•  O  furtiinatos  nimium,  sua  --i  bona  ndrinr  !" 


To  Jllii  s  i)E  Bakri,   Ld.  JursscnkeUs. 

Sir, 

THK  Pii!)nshers  deem  it  a  (hity  thev  owe  voii,  to 
aijolo-rise  for  the  Hl)erty  they  have"  taken  in  fxirtialh 
de\  iatini^  from  your  (Urections,  in  issuint^-  these  truh 
vahiable  letters  of  your  mu<:h  honoured  father.  'I'he\ 
conceived,  how  ever,  this  form  w  ould  i^i\x-  them  a  nmre 
extensi\e  circulation,  and  would  by  no  means  injure 
their  ^;llue. 

'riiey  embrace  this  mode  of  tendering-  von  a  publick 
acknowledgment  for  so  valuable  a  liresei.t,  and  assin-c 
\ou.  Sir,  they  will  e\er  keep  in  \iew  your  jiatriotick 
recjuest. 

lit  1 1 ja  I  Press,  Q  r  E  i:  i:  c  K ,  1 OO 1 . 


Is. 


to 

Ih 
ilV 

)rv 
I  re 

c-k 

IR 

ck 


